Sometimes the guy that gets the work done doesn’t get much credit or get noticed. You know the type, just goes about his business, gets the job done, and doesn’t say anything. That is kinda how I see guns like the Benelli Nova pump shotgun. The Nova has been around since the mid-90s and was first developed for law enforcement use, but soon developed a strong following when sporting models for hunters were developed. I have a good friend in Alaska who works for the Alaskan DNR. This guy goes all over the immense state of Alaska and its vast wilderness. He also teaches some extensive classes on firearms-based bear defense. In case you didn’t know, Alaska has a wealth of bears, brown bears of the Grizzly variety and lots of black bears. Both of these are capable of chewing you up if you catch them on the right day. Just to be clear, this happens a lot more up there than most people know about. It is not uncommon to hear about a hiker, hunter, fisherman or the like getting mauled by a bear. My buddy Sam, as most Alaskans do, favors a 12-gauge pump shotgun loaded with slugs for his first line of defense and has carried that old Benelli Nova for years. It has also made several trips to Gunsite Academy in Arizona for various classes. It just keeps on ticking.
Now Benelli has introduced a new version of this old favorite, the Nova 3. Building on the rugged, no-fail construction of the original Nova, the new Nova 3 Hunting furthers the brand’s workhorse mission to provide price-conscious, performance-minded hunters a tough and dependable shotgun for any outdoor adventure. The Nova 3 Hunting continues the Nova’s innovative one-piece and corrosion-proof framework with a 100% Poly-Mod construction, forming a strong, unitized receiver and buttstock configuration. This gen 3 version includes a reshaped buttstock and forend with the more aggressive Ergo-Evolved Diamond Grip scalloping for improved grip and operation in all weather conditions. The trigger guard is also enlarged and re-profiled for enhanced use when wearing gloves.
Continuing the functional upgrades, the Nova 3 Hunting boasts a larger ejection port and faster 3-inch chamber to deliver a 14-percent shorter cycling stroke when compared to the original Nova. The ejection port contour lines now blend with the receiver for a sleeker look and aesthetic continuity. All this, combined with a beveled loading port for smoother, faster loading, Benelli’s rugged M4 bolt face, and a manual shell stop for clearing the chamber without releasing a round from the magazine, translates to a fast-operating, ergonomic pump-action shotgun hunters can depend on.
The Nova 3 Hunting debuts with a 12-gauge 2 3/4- and 3-inch chamber in 26- or 28-inch barrel lengths. Each configuration is offered in black synthetic, Realtree® Max-7™ camo, and Mossy Oak® Bottomland™ camo. Standard features include IC, M, and F Mobil choke tubes, vented rib with red bar sight, and a drilled and tapped receiver for optic installation. MSRP: $529 – $629 depending on model. www.Benelliusa.com
Larry Case www.gunsandcornbread.com